Annex 2: Commerce's Milestones for 1999/2000
Note: The milestones are a tightly defined range of activities designed directly to help achieve a Key Result Area, as a specific contribution to Government strategic priorities. They do not, therefore, cover the full range of the Ministry's activities, and specifically do not include the extensive activities that are third-party funded.
The branches of Commerce responsible for a milestone are identified after the milestone by an indicator representing.
- BR
- Business and Registries
- CB
- Corporate Branch
- CE
- Competition and Enterprise
- EECA
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency
- MCA
- Ministry of Consumer Affairs
- ORM
- Operations and Risk Management
- RN
- Resources and Networks
Removing Barriers to Growth and Innovation
7. By 30 September 1999, report to the Minister for Enterprise and Commerce with a medium term implementation programme for the Government's strategy to promote foreign direct investment in New Zealand, including attracting investment in New Zealand's Crown mineral estate. [CE/ORM]
8. By 31 July 1999, drawing on input from the series of regional business forums, prepare a publication on business policy and how to expand the knowledge-based economy, based on the 5-point plan announced by the Minister for Enterprise and Commerce in February 1999. Development of the publication will be coordinated by the Ministry of Commerce in consultation with other agencies that advise the Ministerial team on Enterprise and Innovation. [CE]
9. By 8 September 1999, support the passage of legislation implementing Government decisions on the review of Commerce Act penalties and remedies and thresholds. [CE]
10. By 30 September 1999, contribute to the achievement of New Zealand's strategic objectives in APEC (MFAT lead) by
- creating a strong New Zealand business dimension to New Zealand's APEC year; and
- achieving APEC leaders' endorsement of strengthening markets in the region, through the development of competition and regulation principles for application to trade liberalisation, trade facilitation and regulatory reform. [CE]
11. By 31 December 1999,the Y2K Readiness Commission will provide advice to the Government on the risks associated with the Year 2000 problem, and will implement advisory and assistance programmes to business and the general public that will minimise the potential disruption to the New Zealand economy the problem may cause. [CE]
12. By 20 December 1999, complete an information and education programme for Departments on the use of Regulatory Impact Statements and other processes aimed at improving the quality of regulatory proposals and the capacity of government agencies to comply with higher standards of policy development. [CE]
Lowering the Costs for Business
13. By 30 June 2000, improve the implementation of the RMA by the developing a guideline for local authorities on implementing cost and benefit analysis of regulation under the RMA s32 analysis. [RN]
14. By 31 July 1999, support passage of personal property securities law. [CE]
15. By 30 September 1999, support passage of a Business Law Reform Bill, which will improve the effectiveness of a range of corporate laws and reduce costs of business. [CE]
16. By 30 November 1999, complete drafting instructions on legislation overhauling and modernising the Trade Marks Act 1953. By 30 June 2000 support the introduction of legislation. [CE]
17. By 31 March 2000, initiate and progress the consumer credit law review by releasing up to four discussion papers for public consultation. [MCA]
18. By 31 March 2000, implement the Trans-Tasman mutual recognition regulatory regime for electrical equipment. [ORM]
19. By 31 December 1999, publish a revised and comprehensive GSF Schemes policy statement. [ORM]
Improving Regulatory Regime
20. By 31 March 2000, review the evidence and analysis on the state of competition in the New Zealand telecommunications sector, with advice on any policy implications. [RN]
21. By 30 June 2000,monitor and review the effectiveness of the information disclosure regime for telecommunications, with suggestions for change as necessary. [RN]
22. By 30 June 2000,monitor and review the effectiveness of the industry numbering agreement, with advice on the policy implications, and any actions required. [RN]
23. By 31 July 1999, report on compliance of electricity companies with the ownership separation requirements of the Electricity Industry Reform Act 1998. [RN]
24. By 30 November 1999, review the development of competition in electricity retailing, with emphasis on the development of switching mechanisms (e.g., metering and profiling). [RN]
25. By 30 September 1999,develop an enhanced information disclosure regime for the gas market. [RN]
26. By 30 June 2000, review the effectiveness of the new price control regime for electricity lines businesses, with suggestions for change as necessary. [RN]
27. By 30 November 1999, report to Cabinet on the outcome of public consultations on the review of the regulatory environment for water and waste water. By 31 May 2000, report to Cabinet on legislative amendments. [RN]
Promoting Contestability
28. By 1 October 1999, develop a framework for preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of the BIZ programme. [CE/ORM]
29. By 30 June 2000,complete a first review of the BIZ programme with a view to identifying strengths and weakness and promoting more creative delivery and outcomes. [ORM/CE]
30. By 31 December 1999,complete a reviewof the potential to outsource the Autocheck Call Centre and implement its findings. [BR]
31. By 30 June 2000,reduce the percentage of liquidations administered by the Official Assignee to less than 60% of all liquidations forecast in the previous 12 months. [BR]
32. By 30 April 2000, report on ways to reduce compliance costs to mineral explorers and miners with revenues under $1million per annum. [ORM]
33. By 30 June 2000, complete Trans-Tasman regulatory harmonisation for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and establish EMTEC, the New Zealand industry advisory committee for electromagnetic (radio interference). [ORM]
Facilitating Life-Long Learning and Workforce Skill Development
34. Working in partnership with key Enterprise & Innovation agencies, including the Department of Labour, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Research Science & Technology, on:
- The establishment of a policy framework for the development of New Zealand's human capability, by June 2000;
- Reviewing changing skill requirements by business and industry through follow up to the Regional Business Forums, including assessing businesses perceptions of barriers to skill development, by December 1999;
- Strengthening partnerships between tertiary education providers, Crown Research Institutes, and industry providers of research & development, consistent with decisions arising from the Foresight Project by June 1999;
- Exploring measures for improving incentives on enterprises to invest in human resource capability, including industry training policy, by June 2000[CE]
Improving Future Capability
35. By 31 August 1999, all managers will have performance agreements that include the Ministry's management competencies, and will have approved performance agreements with each of their staff. [CS]
36. By 30 June 2000,convert thehuman resource policy framework (1998/99 milestone 47) into an approved policy being implemented, specifically by 20 December 1999,introducing a new midyear review to the performance management system to identify those with senior management potential, and by 31 March 2000,finalising a management capability plan to the Senior Leadership Team for approval and implementation. [CS]
37. By 30 June 2000,complete an expanded programme of management training. [CS]
38. By 31 March 2000,complete a review of the Ministry's policy capability and the relationship between remuneration policy and the recruitment and retention of high performance policy staff. [CE/RN/MCA/CS]
39. By 30 June 2000, complete a review of the Ministry's policy development framework, including the role of information flows from business and research groups, and the role of peer reviews, to identify improvements to the process and measures of the effectiveness of the advice. [CE/RN/MCA]
40. By 31 December 1999, review the Government Superannuation Fund investment performance measures and establish a sound performance benchmark (or benchmarks).
41. By 30 June 2000, report on improvements achieved by operational groups against established benchmarks. [ORM]
42. By 30 June 2000, implement on-line registration services within the Companies Office. [BR]
43. By 31 December 1999, complete all work required by IANZ to achieve full ISO Guide 25 accreditation for the pattern approval function. [MCA]
44. By 30 September 1999, have in place a Ministry-wide strategy to lift the level of overall knowledge and awareness of Treaty of Waitangi issues across the Ministry. [CS]
45. By 31 December 1999, complete an update of the Commerce policy framework as it relates to the Treaty of Waitangi and Treaty jurisprudence, incorporating a more sophisticated commerce and enterprise analysis, and by 30 June 2000 complete training seminars for all policy staff. [CE/RN/CS]
46. By 30 September 1999,complete and promulgate guidelines on the requirements for responsiveness that are appropriate for the Operational Groups' relationships with Māori. [ORM/BR]
47. By 31 March 2000,
- Complete a Māori Responsiveness training programme for the staff of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and incorporate consultation guidelines into departmental procedures [CA]
- Develop and implement a communication strategy that effectively advises the Ministry of the needs of Māori, and provides Māori with relevant and timely information, on electrical and gas safety awareness [ORM]
- Develop and implement a strategy to raise awareness of Registries services with Māori interests which promote start-up commercial and business ventures. [BR]
48. By 30 June 2000, complete an audit of the implementation of the guidelines in the milestone 41 above. [ORM/BR/CS]
49. By 24 December 1999, complete all Y2K compliance and business continuity planning for business critical systems. [CS]
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